RWJBarnabas Health team members gather to commemorate the closing of the Middlesex County Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-site in Edison. Pictured in the photo are RWJBarnabas Health's Thomas A. Biga, President of the Hospital Division; Bonnie Geissler, MHA, RN, Vice President of Special Projects; David Holler, Director of the Mega-site and Assistant Vice President of Laboratory Access; and John F. Bonamo, M.D., MS, FACOG, FACPE, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical and Quality Officer.
Appreciation event held to recognize staff members for their dedication
Edison, NJ, July 16, 2021– After seven months of operation and issuing more than 310,000 vaccines, the Middlesex County Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-site in Edison will provide its last doses of vaccine on Saturday, July 17. Operated by RWJBarnabas Health, the Army National Guard, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Middlesex County, the Edison Mega-site served as vital resource for residents across the state to access the COVID-19 vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.
Together, hundreds of staff members and volunteers provided services including security, registration, vaccination and medical observation in a coordinated effort to operate the Mega-site and to ensure maximum safety and efficiency of the vaccination effort.
On Thursday, July 15th an appreciation event was held for staff members and volunteers at the site to thank them for their dedication and celebrate the significant vaccination milestones they achieved together.
“The closure of the Middlesex County Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-site marks a significant milestone in our fight against the COVID-19 virus,” said Bonnie Geissler, MHA, RN, Vice President, Special Projects, RWJBarnabas Health. “I’m incredibly proud of everyone who worked at the site from our medical staff to our volunteers, and every resident who got vaccinated. We have successfully completed our job here in Edison and have reached our vaccination goal.”
All six of New Jersey’s vaccine mega-sites will have closed as of July 27th as the state moves to a more community-based model for vaccinations. Many community-based venues for vaccines will remain across New Jersey, and vaccine access will continue throughout all RWJBarnabas Health hospitals.
“We are grateful for our partner organizations and every single team member and volunteer who showed up to help others in our community during this challenging time,” said David Holler, Director of Middlesex County Vaccination Mega-site and AVP, Laboratory Access, RWJBarnabas Health. “It was inspiring to see each of them working together towards a common goal in a statewide effort to save lives and protect residents from contracting and/or spreading the virus.”
All individuals aged 12 and older who live, work or study in New Jersey are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.Vaccinations are still available across the state. To find a location or to schedule an appointment at an RWJBarnabas Health facility, please visit www.rwjbh.org/covid19vaccine.
For more information and resources from the State of New Jersey, please visit covid19.nj.gov. For general COVID-19 questions, please call 2-1-1. For medical COVID-19 questions, please call 1-800-962-1253.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 33,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH recently announced an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.